Since discovering just how bad for the environment tumble dryers are, I've been considering investing in one of these old-fashioned, space-saving drying racks. Unlike some of the modern versions, this traditional 'Sheila Maid' drying rack actually adds something to the look of your home, and once hoisted up, keeps your laundry out of the way of any passing pets or humans. Follow the jump for info on where to buy.

Now that the organic message is really getting across to most consumers, it's the things that are closest to our bodies we tend to want to keep free of chemical pesticides. Food is an obvious one, clothing another. But what about where we sleep? I for one like to spend a fair amount of time tucked up in bed, and even insomniacs tend to visit it at least once a night...

Knowing what to do with household waste is not always obvious; once you've recycled all your paper, donated all your unwanted clothes to charity and composted all the food you can possibly cram into a small bokashi bin, you're into the more rocky territory of electricals, furniture and plastics.

If that's all got you confused, sustainable living expert Tracey Smith can help with her new 'book of rubbish ideas', in which she takes you through each and every room in your house and garden with valuable tips on reducing household waste. Available from 25th September, the book will be a great addition to any eco house. Visit Tracey's blog to find out how to get a special half price discount on the book and bag a copy for just £3.50.

Related: Interview: My Zero Waste's Mrs. Green speaks to Hippyshopper

Before you say anything, no these aren't actually shoes that you can wear on your feet, but they are pretty cool aren't they? They are ornaments for your home, made from sustainable greenery. So even though you can't wear them, they will make your home look a treat. And as they sit (stand?) there on your mantelpiece, they might just serve as a daily reminder to think about how green your shoes really are... [via Shoewawa]

Related: New eco shoe range from Natalie Portman | Great Green Shoes: new blog for ethical footwear

Many of us now consider the eco credentials of cleaning fluids we use at home, but what about the sponges and cloths we use with them?

Like all textile-based products, sponges can be made out of materials that break down after use. All sponges in the TWIST range, for example, are 100% biodegradable and come in earth-friendly packaging. Even better, the latter has been specially designed for convertion into little bird feeders after use! The range has been a big hit in the States, but is now available in the UK for the first time, making your cleaning regime greener than ever. To check out the products, visit the Green Store.

Related: Squeaky Green: the Method guide to detoxing your home | Biobar soap: fragrant, eco-friendly and retro

'Why eat organic, but clean with pesticides?' That's one of the big questions posed by Method founders Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, whose new book, Squeaky Green, explains their philosophy of natural cleaning and how you can apply it to your own home.

The book is set out in a fun 'room by room' format, and each chapter begins with a list of things to look out for when tackling the cleaning in each case: the 'bedroom' section, for example, points out the wisdom of purifying the air in the place you spend a third of your life.

Related:Method's new recycled bottles go on sale | Hippyshopper's guide to your eco spring clean

I've been using Ecover's original fabric softener for years, and find it works as well as any of the more chemically-laden ones you'll find in the shops. But a bit of variety is always nice, so I was pleased to learn that they've just brought out a new fragrance for their fabric softener; a summer scent called 'under the sun'. As with all Ecover's products, this new product is made from plant and mineral ingredients.

In addition, Ecover has expanded its bathroom range, with a new fragranced toilet cleaner and all purpose bathroom cleaner to look out for. It's also doing some interesting work with Water Aid, on a project to fund clean water in Ethiopia, which you can read about here.

Related: Method's bathroom buddies at Big Green Smile | Give your home a green makeover with Ecover

Warren Evans has become the big name in eco-friendly beds over the past few years, scooping award after award for its thoroughly sustainable and very stylish furnishings. All its beds are FSC certified, all mattresses are organic, and items are shipped wrapped in blankets instead of using traditional packaging.

As someone who lives in a shoebox, I'm especially interested in Warren Evans' latest range, which has been designed with maximum space-saving in mind and, for obvious reasons, using fewer materials. Pictured is the Caymen Bed, a double that's available from £495. Not bad at all for such a highly praised piece of furniture that will last a lifetime!

These psychodelic looking toadstools may not attract much in the way of wildlife to your garden, but if you're lucky, they might turn it into a sanctuary for any passing gnomes...

The 'shrooms are contain solar powered LEDS, which give off a magical glow after eight hours of sunlight. And if illuminated toadstools aren't already trippy enough for you, these ones also cycle through a spectrum of colour. A great, eco-friendly way to bring character to your garden during the barbeque season!

Related: Recycled garden lanterns | Get glowing with solar garden globes

There's no way to prove it, but I'm absolutely certain that food cooked on a good old-fashioned barbeque grill tastes a million times better than if it's been blasted by one of those enormous gas models that roast everything to cinders in seconds.

And I'm willing to bet that a crisp jacket potato, slowly baked on this traditional style outdoor stove would taste pretty damn amazing. Available at Hen & Hammock, the 'West African cooker' is made from recycled enamel, by a cooperative of craftsmen in Senegal.

Related: How to have an eco-friendly barbeque | Help butterflies as you barbeque with UK Charcoal

Method is now well known for its playful attitude towards packaging, but its new bathroom range comes in some of the craziest containers yet. Just check out those split lids designed to give your sponge a home.

This is 'tub scrub', the brand's non-toxic bathroom cleaner with pure natural ingredients that are as tough as bleech, but much healthier and less smelly. Formulated to tackle all kinds of bathroom grime, the ingredients include milled marble, which you won't find in many other household cleaning products. And despite the posh ingredients and conversation-piece packaging, each bottle costs just £3 at Big Green Smile.

Related: Method Kid: good clean fun comes to the UK | Method's new body range is on its way

I've raved about their stuff before, but now this crazily-shaped chair by the Fair Trade Furniture company has a holy seal of approval, after a special visitor planted his blessed behind on its unusual, asymetric rattan form. Can you guess who graced the Jogya this weekend?

Follow the jump to find out.

Summertime in a big city can be far from idyllic, as the smells we tend to associate with the season are replaced by airbourne traffic fumes, stale sweat and tarmac. OK, being a born and bred city chick, I have to admit to liking the smell of tarmac, but I could certainly live without the rest -- and that's where these scrumptious naturally scented candles come into their own...

The new 'As it should be' candles are made from clear burning natural wax, and all scents are inspired by warm summer evenings. Choose from freshly cut grass, wild lime, violet and sea shore. Each indulgent candle costs £18 from True Grace

Related: Green Tulips gorgeously green candles -- a steal at £2.50

Looking to old-fashioned cleaning solutions is a good way to ensure your products don't contain any harmful chemicals, and tried and tested methods from past times can be surprisingly effective -- even for tough jobs like stain removal.

Biobar Super Soap is one of those must-have wonder products that no natural home should be without. Not only is it the only all-natural stain remover I'm aware of; it also smells absolutely amazing. You can rub it directly on to stains and machine wash them as usual, or grate the soap like cheese for an intensive soak. Buy it for £3.99 at Claire Leavy's store.

With summer here at last, it's time to dump the dull and bring on the bright and bold colours -- and there's no need to stop at your wardrobe.

New in at Biome Lifestyle is a colourful crockery range that's made from 100% recycled glass. The 'Aster' crockery pieces would cheer up any kitchen and look great mixed and matched for a summer party.

Related: Biodegradable picnic kit from firebox | Eat an eco-friendly meal with recycled cutlery